Arewa community in Lagos rejects planned protest
The Arewa Community in Lagos State has announced their support for President Bola Tinubu, as well as the decision not to participate in the planned nationwide hunger protest scheduled for August 1.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Shehu Usman, leader of the Arewa Community and Traders in Lagos State, articulated their stance on the protest.
Usman accused certain politicians and their sponsors of orchestrating the protest under the guise of addressing hardship in Nigeria, with the ulterior motive of destabilizing the democratically elected government of President Tinubu.
“While it is the constitutional right of every Nigerian to protest peacefully, targeting Lagos State, the home state of the President, for a violent protest will not be tolerated by the Arewa Community and traders in the state,” Usman declared.
He emphasized that the Arewa Community and Traders in Lagos State are firmly against the protests and urged their members to abstain from any activities aimed at causing unrest.
“We don’t believe in the protests because we don’t think we need any national protests against the administration of President Bola Tinubu at the moment, especially when there are a lot of transformation and people-oriented policies being carried out by the Tinubu-led government,” Usman stated.
Usman further accused certain individuals of using the protest for selfish interests, aiming to create chaos in Lagos and beyond. “We believe some fifth columnists, politicians, and those who want to set Nigeria, particularly Lagos, on fire, are behind the protests for selfish interests,” he added.
Reassuring President Tinubu of their unwavering support, Usman declared that the Arewa Community will stand against any protest aimed at undermining his administration or the Lagos State government.
“Lagos State has been home to many of us for many years, and we will not support any attempt to destroy the state in the name of protests by some faceless groups and individuals,” he asserted.
The Arewa Community’s declaration comes as a significant boost for President Tinubu amidst growing tensions and planned demonstrations across the country.
